Cats struggling to win; Eagles are 7-1

The Wildcats are on a long losing skid after falling 52-45 to Oak Ridge on Dec. 12. The loss put the Cats at 2-5 on the season.

Winter Park has been struggling to find a star since the departure of last year’s two-time state champion senior class, including top scorer Austin Rivers. None of the team’s current starters was a starter last season. Some weren’t on the team at all.

In the meantime, their offense has languished.

In the team’s loss to the Pioneers, their top scorer, James McLean, picked up just seven points. The loss was the second time this season the Wildcats had failed to score 50 points; they’ve averaged just more than 50 points per game.

Compare that to last season, and the differences are huge: In their 33 games en route to the state championship, they scored 60 points or more in all but two games, averaging 75 points per game, including a 102-92 blowout to start the season. This season they’ve passed 60 points just once.

Defensively they’ve done well to come close to last season’s squad. The ’10-11 Wildcats held teams to 59 points per game. This season they’ve averaged nearly identical points, though against arguably weaker teams.

On Dec. 14 at press time they looked for redemption at Boone. On Dec. 16 they’ll return home to attempt to even their district record against East River (3-3). That game tips off at 7:30 p.m. After that, they’ll take a break until Jan. 3, when they host Wekiva.

Edgewater

After a loss to start the season the Eagles have mowed down their competition ever since, sporting a 7-1 record to start the week. They edged Evans 63-56 on Dec. 12 to keep the streak alive, led by Kerry Blackshear’s 17 points.

The Eagles hosted Pine Ridge at home at press time Dec. 14, but they’ll be back in action at Jones at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16. That will do it for the rest of this year for the Eagles, who return to the court on the road again against West Orange at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3.